Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-10-08
GETTING DOWN 10 wonx.

Pension Legislation Demanded-Reuorfo a
! the Committee on Commandar-in-
| Chiefs Address.
81. Louis, September 29.-The encamp.
ment met at 9 a. m. The COMMITTEES ON Gro
dentials reported. A little breach was Gre
ated over the delegates from Michigan but
the report was finally adopted. which was
the same as the printed roll of the encamp-
ment.
The hearing of the reports of COM
mittees was resumed, the first in order be-
ing the committee on pensions. They relate
the efforts to procure liberal legislation and
the fate OF the dependent pension bill. The
committee were at Washington during the
debates In congress over the bill It was not
what they wanted but it at least would
have kept II, COO veterans from pauperism.
They thought the blu should be far more
liberal. The bill met the approval of the
president and they were fairly stunned when
from the same hand came the veto. They
appealed to the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie and the response came from 500, 600
members IN no uncertain tones. The COM
mIttee therefore prepared new pension
bill making provision for PENSIONS to all
veterans who are unable to earn their own
livelihood, for continuance of pensions for
widows, for an increase of the present pit
lance to minor children, and for fathers or
mothers from any date of dependence. Such
q law would remove 1900 veterans from
public almshouses, where they now rest,
making them pensioners, and pro vide for
fully .as many more now dependent upon
private charity, and put into general laws
for the first time the recognition of the pI IN
ciple that pensions may be granted to survi-
vors without proof of disability arising from
the service, which it Is almost impossible to
secure. The bill is similar in general to that
vetoed bill, but the Objectionable pauper
clause Is omitted. The result of submitting
this bill to the comrades of the Grand Army
Republic shows that, whatever
legislation some of the comrades de-
sire, they are practically unanimous
for everything contained in the bill. What
ever else may be desirable, the committee
knows from experience that any addition
is only to be secured inch by inch after per-
sistent efforts. The committee therefore
recommend the continuance of the efforts
looking toward the accomplishment of the
following ends: Passage of the
bill prepared by this committee
disabled or in need; to mothers and fathers:
continuance of pensions to wido We IN their
own right and increase for minor children;
increased pensions for disabilities, and
MANNED veterans; pensions for survivors of
rebel prisons as presented in the bill of the
national ASSOCIATION OF prisoners OF the
war; increased pension for loss of
hearing or sight; re-enactment of the
arrears law; an equitable equalization of
bounties; the same pension for the widow of
the representative volunteer of the union
army, John A. Logan, as is paid to the wild
ows of those typical regulars, Thomas, ''the
Rock IF Chickamauga," and Hancock.
A motion was maze to postpone the con-
sideratlon of the report of the committee on
esolutions on general pension bill, but it
was finally voted down, and after great
deal of parliamentary wrangling the report
of the committee was adopted without de-
bate.
An effort was made to proceed to the cleo
ton of officers, and considerable parliament
tary wrangling was the result. The COM
mander finally ruled that other business had
precedence.
The cities of Columbus, Gettysburg, Sara
toga and Chattanooga presented their
claims to the location of the next encamp-
ment. Hurst, of OHIO, made an able speech
in favor of Columbus. Beath, of Pennsyl-
vania, represented Gettysburg. Before the
ballot was announced, Chattanooga and
Saratoga withdrew and the vote resulted IN
the selection of Columbus, o.
A letter of greeting from the fifth nation
al convention of the Women's relief corps
was received and read and suitable reply
adopted to this auxiliary to the Grand Ar
my of the Republic"
Adjourned until Tomorrow morning.